Deir ez-Zor Governorate
Deir ez-Zor Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة دير الزور / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat Dayr az-Zawr) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in eastern Syria, bordering Iraq. It has an area of 33,060 km2 (12,760 sq mi) and a population of 1,239,000 (2011 estimate).[3] The capital is Deir ez-Zor. It is divided roughly equally from northwest to southeast by the Euphrates. Most of the territory on the river's left (northeast) bank is part of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, while that on the right (southwest) bank is controlled by the Syrian government.
Demographics[edit]
Arabs constitute about 90% of the population of the governorate, a vast majority being Sunni Muslims. In the 1980s, some Arabs converted to Shia Islam whose population do not exceed 5,000. About a thousand Christians live in the governorate as well.[19]
The most significant Arab tribes are the Bu Kamal, the Shuwayt, Al-Shaitat, Bakir, Bu Kamil, Mashahda, Bu Khabour, Qaraan and Bu Hassan who all are part of the 'Egaidat confederation. Beside the 'Egaidat confederation, other tribes include the Al-Baggara, Abeed, Kul’ayeen, and Albu Saraya.[20]